Using brief facts and stories, students will learn how to create outlines and write from outlines. They will apply style techniques to their writing to encourage them to express their ideas creatively. Assignments will include paragraphs, short reports, stories, and writing from pictures.

Through clear, daily assignments, including vocabulary, grammar instruction and literature selections, the students will hone their writing techniques and strengthen their written communication skills.

Literature selections will challenge the students to read independently for comprehension.  A sprinkling of poetry memorization and recitation will complete this course.  

Curriculum Purchased by Student

This is a consumable book and must be bought new.  If you choose to buy this from another retailer and not through IEW, please ensure they include the two downloadable links provided by IEW intended for the purchaser.  Please have this book in your possession prior to the first day of class. I am not asking you to print out the downloadable files.

• All Things Fun & Fascinating Student Book $29.00
• https://iew.com/shop/products/all-things-fun-fascinating
• Comes with a download of the Student Resource Notebook. Do not print this out.  I will handout the relevant pages for students to place in their binders.
• Comes with a download of the Teacher’s manual which parents may find useful when helping with homework.

Literature Selections Purchased by Student

A complete list of the literature selections and school supplies will be provided upon registration for this course.

Student & Parent Expectations: 

            Parent Partnership: Parents are expected to be engaged with their student ensuring that they understand the classwork and complete their homework each week.

Prerequisites: 

Students must be 8 years old and able to read at a third-grade level.  Students must be able to compose a sentence and be able to write legibly.  

Homework: A ‘Homework Schedule’ will be sent home weekly.  Students will be assigned daily work to complete at home.  Parental involvement is essential. 

Parent Orientation:  Parent orientation will be scheduled prior to the first week of class.

Students will gain writing skills by imitating classic literature. Characters and adventures will capture your student's imagination and provide rich writing material. The students will learn about writing with structure and style while using dress-ups and sentence openers to help develop their own personal style. We will use FIX IT to review grammar rules, and vocabulary will be extended.

Through clear, daily assignments, including vocabulary, grammar instruction and literature selections, the students will hone their writing techniques and strengthen their written communication skills.

Literature selections will challenge the students to read independently for comprehension.  A sprinkling of poetry memorization and recitation will complete this course.

Curriculum Purchased by Student

This is a consumable book and must be bought new.  If you choose to buy this from another retailer and not through IEW, please ensure they include the two downloadable links provided by IEW intended for the purchaser.  Please have this book in your possession prior to the first day of class. I am not asking you to print out the downloadable files.

• Fables, Myths and Fairy Tales Student Book $29.00
• https://iew.com/shop/products/fables-myths-and-fairy-tales-writing-lessons-student-book-only-0
• Comes with a download of the Student Resource Notebook. Do not print this out.  I will handout the relevant pages for students to place in their binders.
• Comes with a download of the Teacher’s manual which parents may find useful when helping with homework.

Literature Selections Purchased by Student

A complete list of the literature selections and school supplies will be provided upon registration for this course.

Student & Parent Expectations: 

            Parent Partnership: Parents are expected to be engaged with their student ensuring that they understand the classwork and complete their homework each week.

Prerequisites: 

Students must be 9 years old and able to read at a fourth-grade level.  Students must be able to compose a sentence and be able to write legibly.

Homework: A ‘Homework Schedule’ will be sent home weekly.  Students will be assigned daily work to complete at home.  Parental involvement is essential. 

Parent Orientation:  A required parent orientation will be scheduled prior to the first week of classes.

This course emphasizes structured writing, grammar and literature.

Utilizing curriculum from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW), students will learn a variety of stylistic techniques as they work through nine structures of writing including; note-taking & outlines, writing from notes, retelling narrative stories, summarizing references, writing from pictures, summarizing multiple references, inventive writing, formal essay models and formal critique. In addition to writing assignments, homework will include an emphasis on vocabulary and grammar instruction which will reflect skills introduced and reviewed in class.

Students will read literature books with an emphasis on comprehension and vocabulary.  Weekly reading and comprehension activities will be completed at home.  Classroom time will be devoted to literature discussion.

A sprinkling of poetry memorization and recitation will complement this course. 

Curriculum Purchased by Student

I recommend that these books are bought new from IEW.  Please have these books in your possession prior to the first day of class.

• Structure and Style for Students, Year 1, Level A, Student Binder and Packet, $29.00
• https://iew.com/shop/products/structure-and-style-students-year-1-level-binder-student-packet
• Fix It! Grammar, Book 1, Teacher’s Manual and Student Book Combo $29.00
• https://iew.com/shop/products/fix-it-grammar-nose-tree-book-1-teacherstudent-combo

Literature Selections Purchased by Student

A complete list of the literature selections and school supplies will be provided upon registration for this course.

Student Expectations: 

Prerequisites:  Students must be able to read on the fifth-grade level and write legibly in ink. Typewritten final drafts will be accepted while rough drafts and outlines must be handwritten. 

Homework: Students will be assigned daily work to complete at home.  Parental involvement is essential.  Parents will be expected to check grammar homework using the teacher’s manual.  Students and parents are expected to check Mrs. Ahlstrom’s class webpage to view the assignments for the week and to provide appropriate accountability to ensure students are keeping up with their assignments.

Parent Orientation:  A required parent orientation will be scheduled prior to the first week of classes.

This course emphasizes structured writing, grammar and literature.

Utilizing curriculum from the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW), students will learn a variety of stylistic techniques as they work through nine structures of writing including; note-taking & outlines, writing from notes, retelling narrative stories, summarizing references, writing from pictures, summarizing multiple references, inventive writing, formal essay models and formal critique. In addition to writing assignments, homework will include an emphasis on vocabulary and grammar instruction which will reflect skills introduced and reviewed in class.

Students will read six different books each representing a different genre.  Weekly reading and comprehension activities will be completed at home.  Classroom time will be devoted to literature discussion.

A sprinkling of poetry memorization and recitation will complement this course. 

Curriculum Purchased by Student

I recommend that these books are bought new from IEW.  Please have these books in your possession prior to the first day of class.

• Structure and Style for Students, Year 1, Level B, Student Binder and Packet, $29.00
• https://iew.com/shop/products/structure-and-style-students-year-1-level-b-binder-student-packet
• Fix It! Grammar, Book 3, Teacher’s Manual and Student Book Combo $29.00
  • https://iew.com/shop/products/fix-it-grammar-frog-prince-or-just-deserts-book-3-teacherstudent-combo

Literature Selections Purchased by Student

A complete list of the literature selections and school supplies will be provided upon registration for this course.

Student Expectations: 

Prerequisites:  Students must be able to read on the sixth-grade level and write legibly in ink. Typewritten final drafts will be accepted while rough drafts and outlines must be handwritten.  

Homework: Students will be assigned daily work to complete at home.  Parental involvement is essential.  Parents will be expected to check grammar homework using the teacher’s manual.  Students and parents are expected to check Mrs. Ahlstrom’s class webpage to view the assignments for the week and to provide appropriate accountability to ensure students are keeping up with their assignments.

Parent Orientation:  A required parent orientation will be scheduled prior to the first week of classes.